“They are two very important tournaments, so we will wait until the end of the season,” Prandelli told Sky Sport Italia.

“We have already worked out the two groups, but we want to wait a little longer. We don’t want to take anything away from the Under-21 side, nor remove those two or three who can already form part of the senior Italy squad.

“My future? In Italy it is our nature to have Coaches always hanging by a thread. After the World Cup qualifiers, the Confederations Cup and the World Cup, then we’ll see what my future holds. Right now I am thinking only of the Nazionale.”

Among the cross-over talents are Stephan El Shaarawy, who was recently dropped by Milan and is struggling for form.

“Milan know how to deal with their players. Massimiliano Allegri chose someone else for the Napoli game, but that doesn’t dent a fantastic season for El Shaarawy.”

The Italy Coach also cast his eye over the upcoming challenges for the Nazionale and club football.

“Italian teams must think they gave their all in terms of character and temperament, but clearly to reach the top level you need world class players and those come with investment,” he said of the failure to get past Champions League and Europa League quarter-finals.

“The step up in quality is always made by the great players. Don’t forget two years ago it was also thought we couldn’t do anything better, but the mentality is changing. We still need to step up the level of intensity in Serie A, though.”